I've seen some ultra-low profile rubber on some of the Rods in Street Rodder Mag and was wondering if anyone can suggest a supplier of very low profile tyres that will give me good width and something like a 23 inch outer diameter??

This is the result of my buying and fitting the Michelin TB15s to my GT40 Halibrand replica wheels for the Gunston Perana Replica.

1. You can see the concerns I had regarding the overall diameter of the new tyres as compared with the original Capri wheels. The difference is 22.6 inches verses 24.1 inches.

2. thoughts are that the tyres still look somewhat too tall despite these Michelin TB15s being about the only tyres I could get for the 15 inch wheels. I was desperately trying to recreate the look of the Gunston Perana of the 70's - i.e. ultra low profile tyres as per these pics http://www.brooklands280.com/gunstonperana.htm

3. I haven't fitted them to the Perana yet but was so needing to progress the project as regards axle narrowing and wheel arch modification that I really was obligated to get the TB15s else I was stuck in a rut. Maybe over the next few months I can at least assess the running of the car and see whether the final drive ratio is adversely affected or if there are any other hidden 'nasties'. (that depends on if the rubber on these er, Track/Race' tyres actually last a few months................ my tyre fitters laughed and expect to see me back very shortly - can't think why!!!!

4. If anyone in the world can point me to a tyre that will fit the 9.5x 15 rears and the 7.5 x 15" fronts AND will give an ultra low profile to restore the 22.7 inch outer diameter - I will of course be most grateful and nominate you for the Nobel Peace Prize!

5. People have said go for 16 or 17 inch wheels. I have decided that the Perana is bound to have no bigger than 15 inch wheels (the original wheels on the Perana were 13 inch - I've moved them up to 15 inch and still have major probs getting tyres)

I think that you are just about stuck where you are at..And at that I do not think it is all that bad a place to be stuck at..Least from what I can see from the pics..I would hope that Michelin has a bit narrower tire to match the rears to put on the front..bout like a 235/50-R15 maybe..

These kind of things can drive a fellow a bit nutty...

OMT

__________________
I have tried most all of it and now do what is known to work..

Check this site www.tirerack.com
Search by tire size 225/45/15, there is a Hoosier R3S04 that comes up. Click on specs, it will give all dimensions. It has the overall diam. that you are looking for.
It is a street legal competition tire. a bit pricey, but hey it's only money.

Use their search by size feature and mess with the width and aspect ratios, then check specs you may find others.

Check this site www.tirerack.com
Search by tire size 225/45/15, there is a Hoosier R3S04 that comes up. Click on specs, it will give all dimensions. It has the overall diam. that you are looking for.
It is a street legal competition tire. a bit pricey, but hey it's only money.

Use their search by size feature and mess with the width and aspect ratios, then check specs you may find others.

Thanks for that. I've been to tirerack before and found that the dilemma I fall into is this:-

1. If I get the o/d correct then the tyre is generally to narrow for my width of wheel

2. If I get the rim size correct i.e. 15 inches there is almost nothing in the width I need or if there is then the profile i.e. 50 or 60 series makes the wheels look like they came off Big Foot.

3. Competition stuff ( a bit like I've just bought) is road legal, wide enough - even though a tad too tall, BUT the rubber is probably made a of cheese and won't last long.

The Michelins are definately going to get me going for a while but the future looks expensive unless other tyre makers get in on the act.

I'll keep plugging away.

I saw the 1937 Ford Coupe owned by Kenny Allen from Sorrento LA (on the Vibrance PPG advert in July Rodder Mag) and it looked like it had ulta low profiles at the rear just couldn't tell what rim sizes they were. Anyone know? I mean if he has 15's on the back then thos tyres look superb.

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